Registration is open! 

It’s 2025. Let’s Ride!

Another year, another ride.  Are you ready?  The Cannonball is back —and better than ever.  Saddle up for scenic routes, stocked stops and smooth spins through Virginia’s backcountry.  Crush your course of choice and recharge at comfortable rest stops and a well earned post ride meal.  Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a weekend warrior, it is your ride, your vibe, your Cannonball.

Special Thanks to Our Charitable Partner - SAWS

SAWs Virginia is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that builds custom designed, wooden wheelchair ramps for impoverished persons with long-term, ambulatory disabilities. Our goal is to restore the freedom, independence and dignity allowing them to access medical services more easily, improve the safety of their home, reconnect with their community and age-in-place.

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

WHAT IS THE EVENT ?

The Cannonball Classic Century is a community bicycling event hosted annually by the Fredericksburg Cyclists.  It’s supported by our member volunteers and open to all cycling levels from beginners to competitive riders.

DATE AND LOCATION

The ride is on Sunday, September 14, 2025. The Fredericksburg Cyclists will host our annual Cannonball century, returning to the same location as last year.  Riders can choose from three distance options, each offering the safest, quietest and most scenic routes in the region.

Event Location - Start and Finish

Massaponax High School, 8201 Patriot Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA. 22407

IMPORTANT: Please enter the school from Patriot Highway, not Guinea Station Road.

REGISTRATION FEES

Club Member Price:  $59

Standard Non-Member Price until Sept 13 :   $69

Day-of Event Price Sept 14: $79  Cash or check preferred, or register on your device by clicking this link:  Cannonball Century 2025!

WHAT DOES MY REGISTRATION COVER ?

Event insurance, club expenses, permits, post-ride lunch, rest stop food & drinks, advertising and logistics.

Additional proceeds will benefit SAWS , a local non-profit that builds access ramps for our handicapped neighbors with mobility challenges. 

IF YOU PURCHASED A SHIRT

Your paid-for t-shirt will be available at Early Check-In at Olde Towne Bikes (see below) and at the regular Check-In Desk Sunday morning.  Please try to leave enough time to pick up your shirt in the morning and take it back to your car; however, we will hold it for you until the afternoon.  If you can no longer attend the event, please arrange for a friend to pick up your shirt.  Unclaimed shirts will be held until one month after the ride, and then they will be donated to a volunteer.  

THE ROUTES AND NAVIGATION

The event will feature three course options: a 32.7 mile (Half Metric), a 67 mile (Metric) and a full 101 mile (Century), all winding through some of the most scenic and peaceful roads in Spotsylvania and Caroline Counties.

RideWithGPS (RWGPS) will be available to all participants who have a free RWGPS account or better.  The course will also be marked with painted arrows before and after every turn in the color of your chosen course, and a limited supply of cue sheets will be available.  Here is the invite to "join" the event on RWGPS: 2025 Cannonball Routes .  Please be sure to update your downloaded routes on your device the night before the ride in case last minute changes have occurred!

Route markings:

White arrows - Century

Yellow arrows - Metric

Orange arrows - Half Metric

STOPS/TREATS/RIDE SUPPORT

Well-stocked rest stops will be available along the routes, each offering essential supplies, a unique treat special to each stop, and a warm, helpful team of volunteers.  Our SAG (Support and Gear) team will be monitoring the routes for your safety.

Afterwards, enjoy a post-ride meal at Massaponax High School.

CAN I CHECK IN EARLY ?

Yes. We offer early check in from 4:00pm–7:00pm on Saturday, September 13th at Olde Towne Bicycles, 1907 Plank Rd., Fredericksburg, VA 22401. 

WHEN CAN I CHECK IN ON RIDE DAY ?

Check-in opens at 7:00am at Massaponax High School. Please park first, then come to the check-in table and pick up your t-shirt (if pre-purchased).  Please do not try to check in before 7:00am as our volunteers are not ready to receive you yet.

WHEN CAN I START THE RIDE?

Check-in opens at 7:00am and closes at 9:00am.  The first safety briefing will be at 8:00am.  The approximate start times for each of the rides will be as follows:  Century 8:10am;  Metric 8:20am;  Half Metric  8:30am.  Try to be at your ride start twenty minutes early just in case your group rolls out earlier.  If you miss your ride start time, no problem.  You can start the course at anytime after 8:00am.

The last rest stop will close at 4:00pm and event breakdown begins at 5:00pm.  Our support vehicles will sweep the course to ensure all riders return safely.

WHERE DO I PARK ?

Please enter the school from Patriot Highway (Rt 1),  not Guinea Station Road.

We will use the entire student parking area accessible from the South entrance off of Route 1 and River Run Parkway at the traffic light.  DO NOT(!) enter the High School from Guinea Station Rd (see below), as this will be where the riders head out.

ARE RESTROOMS AVAILABLE AT THE START? 

Yes, the high school has agreed to open the Fieldhouse restrooms near the stadium.  Additional port-a-potties will be provided.

REFUNDS/DEFERRALS/TRANSFERS

As with most events of this caliber, there are no refunds. This is a rain or shine event.  Also, as a nonprofit with a small volunteer staff, we cannot handle registration transfers to another person or deferrals to a later year.  In the unlikely event that the ride must be canceled due to extreme weather (hurricanes, flooding, etc), we will still be unable to issue refunds because we will have incurred most of our expenses beforehand.  

ARE E-BIKES ALLOWED?

Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes are allowed because they are pedal-assisted.  Mopeds, scooters, and throttle-activated Class 2 e-bikes are not allowed.

ARE HELMETS REQUIRED ?

Yes.  An ANSI or SNELL certified helmet is required when riding a bike during this event.  All Virginia traffic laws must also be followed.

CAN MY YOUNG CHILDREN RIDE ALONG ?

Children who can ride their own bike under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent that must sign a waiver on their behalf.  Children in baby seats or trailers are not permitted.

IS FOOD PROVIDED ?

Yes.  Every rest stop will be stocked with a variety of snacks - plus a special treat at each stop - and a full meal at the finish!

WHO DO I CONTACT IN CASE OF A CHALLENGE ALONG THE ROUTE ?

Because cell service can be limited, we strongly encourage riders to stay in groups.  If assistance is needed, call the number on your wristband at 540-899-9977.  Our team will locate and support you.  We also have  the Rappahannock Valley Amateur Radio Club for additional communication and ride tracking.  

WHERE CAN I STAY OVERNIGHT ?

There are several hotel options near I-95 (Massaponax Exit) on both sides of I-95. If you are coming from the south, there are also several hotels at the Thornburg Exit (118).

HOW CAN I REGISTER?

Register now by clicking:  Cannonball Century 2025!

CAN I VOLUNTEER TO HELP?

Absolutely!  We’d love your support.  Please use our Volunteer sign up sheet or please contact the Cannonball Century Director directly.